Romance in Seoul at Rainbow Fountain Bridge and Korean dinner

Romantic places are difficult to find in a bustling metropolis like Seoul but this one is by the far the most popular amongst Seoulites.

The Rainbow Fountain Bridge, we have visited this evening, does mark our final weekend in the city.

Join us for an impressive bridge spitting water and a Korean dinner for semi vegetarians.

Walking away from the Buddhist tranquillity of Bongeunsa temple, right into the traffic of Seoul, I could see the miracle on the Han river, a phrase symbolising South Korea’s rapid economic development.

Finding these amazing flowers in the middle of all the bustle was like stumbling into the world of Avatar.

The had a very pleasant, gentle and subtle smell.

We also found presents.

As the sun set it was time to explore Seoul’s love nest.

To get to rainbow bridge, for a romantic fountain spectacle, we got off at Express Bus Terminal Station and walked the Jamsugyo Walking Track. Basically, we just followed everyone like sheep.

Banpodaegyo bridge in action. Location: Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul.

There is also musical background to create a more romantic scenario, or, I truly suspect, simply to mask the horrendous traffic noise.

Watch the fountain with us.

We were about to get in the mood, when Celine Dion started her tragically overused song. I do not think her music benefits any other setting than romantic disaster movies with sinking ships.

The fountain plays for 15 minutes and repeats every 30 minutes. The time schedule for weekdays is 12.00, 20.00, 21.00 and on weekends 12.00, 17.00, 19.30 (only July and August), 20:00, 20:30, 21:00, 21:30.

More evening entertainment consisted of a fire jugglery performance.

There was some relaxed twirling, throwing and catching.

The other entertainment consisted of picnics, holding hands and ordering pizza or fried chicken.

Professional picnicers were hiding in tents.

Pizza delivery to the bridge? Yes, of course! Asia, world of 24h service.

Taking pictures. Photographers occupy the best spots.

Our romantic couple picture which we took ourselves without flash light. I honestly picked the least fuzzy.

I thought the most entertaining sight was the brightly lit Citibank Boat which appeared out of nowhere, surprisingly not (yet) followed by a fleet of KFC, Starbucks and Coca Cola ships.

Final water shot, dear readers.

We walked along the river to see more signs of prosperity. One of the nicest things money can’t buy is the safety. Walking at night in Seoul is pleasant (avoiding day heat) and safe.

New age Korean style fishing, using LED.

Shadow pictures!

This is supposed to be a heart. Inspired by Korean couple mating habits.

We decided to take an unconventional way back to the station.

Through the restaurant in the tower bridge.

The residential blocks lining the Han river do look a bit better at night.

Now, I invite you to have dinner with us!

Dinner time in Seoul.

This can be a tough task, due to Korea’s love for animals as well as for meat (which is not regarded a contradiction by most people).

We usually just walk down the streets and look out for many people in any local eatery. This does not work so well for us in Seoul, as crowded places will solely have meat on the menu.

Seoul isn’t too great for greens either, but the food I miss most are fruits. It is summer. There are no mangoes nor papayas, no fruit stands – which is what Asia is famous for. Fruit has been replaced by meat in Seoul.

Please don’t jump mister. I am eating my kimchi!

Sometimes we just decide to grab a sack from the convenience store or cook ourselves but today luck had turned our way and we found this place.

Since 1976.

The starters are fabulous in Seoul. Always veggie and really delicious. Sometimes interesting. Like the black beans, hard like peanuts. The rest is kimchi variety, obviously.

It was a bit tricky to order. Most Korean people will not speak English. But generally speaking, more and more restaurants have English menus to accommodate the rising influx of tourists. Many have picture menus.

Placing our order was a challenge but the helpful restaurant ladies made the cross where it should be made.

Wow. I am always amazed about the food portions and convinced that Korean people have two stomachs. Udon noodles with seafood. Will you share with me?

Tomek was busy with his meal. Fried rice with shrimp.

This restaurant was famous for dumplings but there was no way to find out about the filling. It wasn’t all carrots for sure.

We have seen so much that day, I had to break it down into three posts. It was such an eventful day. I love our weekends. What better way to end an exciting Saturday in Seoul, than to lean back in one of the comfy seats at our favourite Lotte cinema.

Brad Pitt fighting zombies in World War Z was leading to an obvious cinematic fail. I couldn’t have cared less. The benefits of travel.